Couples Retreat - Panama Fishing Paradise

Video of one of Dr. Alves's marlins.

Dr. Alves's Marlin

A few quick pictures of one of the marlin's off Isla Montuosa two weeks ago.

Father's Day Charter

     Propiedad de Paradise welcomed Kirk Floek, his wife Susam (not Susan), and Susam's Dad Rodolfo for a special Father's Day offshore.

     The crew went 3 for 5 out on the Hannibal Bank, missing a Big Black Marlin in the begining of the day but managed to to boat 3 monster tunas the biggest being easily 240 lbs. Amazingly, aft...er a two and half hour fight, Rodolfo caught the big yelllowfin on a 3/0 setup! It was the biggest fish he's ever caught. What a great Father's Day gift. 

It's Guest Blog Sunday featuring Jackie Ralston

Panama – Wow, what a country!!!! For nature lovers, like my family, there are endless options easily accessed by car, boat and plane in just a short amount of time.

Let’s start with water. A one hour flight from Panama City to David, 45 minute taxi ride to the water and 15 minutes by boat brings you to a breathtaking paradise….your private island eco-lodge called Propiedad de Paradise.  It sure is paradise – solar powered energy provides light and air conditioning to provide perfect comfort while enjoying Nature’s offerings – white sand beach, turquoise water, brilliantly colored birds in the nearby trees, turtles swimming lazily in view, kayaking, sunsets and of course easy access to what for many is the main event – fishing. Both inshore and offshore offered by Capt. Shane Jarvis who is a total pro in knowing where to find the fish that will send you home telling TALL tales, that this time…..will be true!!! Just look at the website for the amazing photos of sport fish catches. After an exciting day on the water you return to comfort and a simply delicious dinner. This destination is one that adventurous travelers looking for comfort and privacy search the world ….well, let me tell you …..here it is. Sssshhhh…let’s keep it our secret.

Next to the mountains – a little speck of a village just north of Penenome is home to Posada Ecologica also know as Cerro La Vieja. You will find yourself surrounded by Mountains, hilly landscapes, distant ocean views and cooler temperatures. We feel the need to visit several times a year as the property abounds with lush tropical gardens attracting the showy birds Panama is famous for. You could go hiking, but you can also sit on the terrace, drink famous Panamanian coffee and take award winning photographs of Blue Motmots, Red legged honey creepers, Hummingbirds, Chachalacas ETC!!!!!  Secret destination #2!

Meanwhile back in Panama city…..the beginning and the end of almost everyone’s itinerary. You can stay in hotel categories of all descriptions while choosing to dine at world class restaurants ….choose your cuisine style. View ruins of the old old city or wander the old city now, a UNESCO world heritage site, soon a Frank Gehry bio-diversity museum will be open and in between sneak a walk on the Pipeline road……a destination that attracts birders from all over the world, but also a great place to see Monkeys and Sloths.

So in case I need to spell it out for you….give yourself enough time to  DO IT ALL. Have fun. Jackie Ralston

A Tale of Two Panama Fishing Lodges - (Mostly a tale of one)

About eight months ago, I receive an email from a Jim Kimball, introducing himself as the owner/operator of Tranquilo Bay in Bocas Del Toro, Panama. He congratulated us on opening a new fishing lodge on the Pacific side, and invited us to visit and share the trials, tribulations, and follies of construction on a remote island. We drove from David to the port of Almirante on the Atlantic side last week to take the water taxi to Bocas del Toro. The following pictures reflect the flavor of this community , which is slowly returning to the earth in the form of rust.

View Full Album

 

The water taxi to Bocas takes about 15 minutes, and is a welcome ride out of Almirante, past the port and across the bay. Bocas del Toro reminds me of early Key West. Very early Key West.    

Jim met us at Starfish Coffee with two of his guides (both botanists) and we were off for the 10 mile trip to Isla Bastimentos on which his lodge is located.

 

Jim and Jay, his partner have lived on the island for 10 years constructing, and now operating for the last 5, this most impressive facility. Their story is best explained on the Tranquilo Bay web site.

Frankly we had a great time trading stories (they have a lot more than we do) and listening to how they managed to put this very well thought out, and extremely well appointed lodge together.  Here are a few pictures…..

I know you probably were not interested in their generator house, how they store potable water, but we were, and after all this is my blog.

Both Jim and Jay are excellent anglers, and apparently the tarpon fishing in this location is equal to or better than Costa Rica.  There will be more on this subject as we are working on a unique Panama fishing adventure that will utilize the unique features and locations of both our lodges.

An Allbum with no fishing pictures!

We had a very nice couple from Corvallis, Oregon stay with us for four days in late March.  They were working their way home after a voyage to Tahiti.  John and Gretchen took many pictures as they hiked, and canoed around the island.  As you can see, all of these are better than the ones I post, so no need to reply to this post with that comment.

An Album by John & Gretchen
 

Dad caught the big one in Chiriquí!

I can't even begin to best this article, so just follow this link:
http://www.focuspublicationsint.com/New_Site/Visitor16-16/sixth.html#Top

Sometimes there is a lot to be said for not saying a lot......

"we traded these delicacies for an exquisite homemade meal, drinks and good company"

I had forgotten this nice event until Nancy reminded me of it over the weekend.  I think this occurred on February 6th and the 7th.

Late in the day on the 6th we were at the table on the front deck, and watched as a sailboat came from the south and anchored off Isla Gamez.  We watched their inflatable depart their vessel and went back to our cocktails.  About an hour later, four young nice looking people come walking up the path from the beach.

After introducing themselves (Brad, Chad, Tyler, and Nikki) related that they were on a trip around the world, and could they buy some rum.  Its hard to beat a trip around the world story, so we gave them what little was left from the prior weeks fishing charter, and off they went promising to return the next evening for dinner.

Return they did!  They brought oysters, two wonderful fish, coconuts, and a couple of lobsters.  We had a great meal and even better conversation listening to their adventure to date and plans for the months to follow.

Their Panama Island blog is:  http://sailbrokencompass.blogspot.com/2010/02/pamama-islands.html

Their website is:  http://www.sailbrokencompass.com/

We wish them well and will continue to follow their progress.  Great kids on a great adventure!